BFG Drag Radial vs M/T vs Hoosier

[Sixpipes]

Check it out. :cool:

http://www.f150online.com/galleries/images/211-300-28493.jpg
275/35R17 BFG Drag Radial - 26X11.5X16 M/T ET Street - 28X14.5X16 Hoosier QT Pro

[BigBob]

If you have a lot of mods, the Hoosiers the only way to get CONSISTENTLY good launches, but they need 4:10 gears to keep from slowing ET. They are a great pair of modes when done together. They also do wonders for top end charge with F-1's or other 28" tires.

The 4:10's WITH the 26" tires are too steep for most in the 1/4 unless you like 5500-6000 rpm in traps. Many have done it, but trucks do better when change made to the taller tire.

[OneRedTXBolt]

Six,

Have you run with all 3 of those? Any comments on which setup you liked best?

Thanks!

[Sixpipes]

James,

I have run the Drag Radials and the ET Streets. The radials were only slightly better than F-1s on my lowered truck. The ET Streets are considerably better and are an ideal size for the 3.73 gears that were installed in my truck.

Everyone says the Hoosiers are great tires. I have never run them on a Lightning, but ran a smaller version (26X10X16 I think) on Flats Man's 4.6L Magnacharged F-150. I agree with BigBob on the tire sizes. I think the 28X14.5X16 Hoosiers may be a little too tall for the 3.55 gears (stock 99/00) and are better suited for 3.73 or 4.10s.

[BigBob]

No one here tried the 17" radial, but did go with the 16" version that is somewhat more narrow and some have run the Nitto R's. Our collective experience was that none of the radials do anywhere as well as the MT Street ET's. Everyone here are presently switching from ET's to the Hoosiers, either the slicks or the wider DOT's. Both seem to bite equally well. The ET's will bite on a good track, but not consistently or at all on less well prepared tracks. Once you start getting to 1.75-1.80 60's on the good tracks, you will spin tires if track condition deteriorates.

I recently ran a 1.69 60' with my Hoosier slicks and Lakewoods on a 12.50 pass at 90 F air temp. Have 4:10's and a 2400 rpm stall, modified stock converter.

As Six Pipes said: 3:73's ideal for 26" tire, with 3:73's you may actually slow a tenth from best times on good tracks, but bite will be More consistently good.

28.5" Hoosier's do better with 4:10's and if you want the ultimate, its probably 4:30's that are due out soon. The 4:10's are good on the street and mileage is about same to 0.5 mpg less, depends on who you ask. Mine was the latter.